Removal of phenol from aqueous solutions by mixed adsorbents: Maghara coal and activated carbon

The removal of phenol from a simulated wastewater effluent by adsorption on a homogeneous mixture of Maghara Coal and Activated Carbon in different proportions has been carried out in a fixed bed reactor. It was noted that the adsorption capacity of activated carbon is 12.05 fold that of Maghara Coal. Variables studied were initial phenol concentration, bed height, and type of adsorbent, namely GMC, GAG, (50%GMC+50%GAC), and (25%GMC+75%GAC). The volumetric flow rate of phenol solution and the temperature were kept at 27.5 ml/min and 27 degrees C respectively. Also the adsorption isotherm for both PMC and PAC were studied. The equilibrium data fit well in the Freundlich model of adsorption.